World Cup wait is over: The greatest show on Earth kicks off with star-studded opening ceremonies in THREE countries as England seek to end 60 years of hurt
World football’s biggest show will kick off in spectacular style on Thursday night with the first of three star-studded opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Colombian pop queen Shakira will open the World Cup in Mexico City with a live performance of the tournament’s official song, Dai Dai, at 17.30 UK time, alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy.
The party will move to Toronto, Canada, on Friday before hitting the glitz of Hollywood with a 90-minute ‘high-energy celebration’ headlined by Katy Perry in Los Angeles early on Saturday.
The World Cup is being held in three countries for the first time, but the United States will host the lion’s share of the matches, including the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
England fans hope manager Thomas Tuchel can help the players “catch momentum, build camaraderie and capitalize on special moments” (in his words) as 2026 marks 60 years since the Three Lions last walked away with the trophy.
Known for the glitz and glamor surrounding its national sports of baseball, basketball and American football, America is sure to put on a show.
The trio of opening ceremonies is being produced by one man, Italian creative director Marco Balich, who has been praised for his work on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics earlier this year.
He said that the ceremonies will be combined with ‘the passion for football and sports celebration that the cup symbolizes’, with design options that reflect every culture.
Pop star Shakira will take to the stage singing Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 World Cup, at the opening ceremony in Mexico City
Opening ceremony producer Marco Balich said the shows will celebrate football and the different cultures of the three host countries – Mexico, Canada and the USA
Mexico’s motif will be traditional paper cutouts called papel picado, while the mosaic will represent Canada’s multicultural identity. Mr Balich said the US would have a ‘super shiny, sparkly glass’.
He added that the events will include welcome speeches, flag parade, match ball presentation and approximately 30 minutes of musical entertainment.
“This is a celebration of football, of FIFA and of people coming together in peace and harmony through football,” he said.
“I think it is very important that we highlight the fact that the three countries are working together to host a very important and meaningful championship, especially at a time when there is so much controversy on the political side.”
‘But people are people and they’re going to get together and have fun.’
Mexican actress Salma Hayek will be in Mexico City as an ambassador.
In Toronto, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline the show at 6.30pm UK time on Friday, alongside artists who reflect Canada’s multicultural population.
The show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be hosted by actor Jason Sudeikis, known for his role as American football coach Ted Lasso.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: ‘The FIFA World Cup is a moment that the world shares, and that starts with how we open it.
‘Starting in Mexico City and continuing with Toronto and Los Angeles in the coming days, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football to reflect both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament.
‘A powerful way to kick off a truly global celebration.’
An opening match will be held after each ceremony. Mexico will face South Africa on Thursday at 19:00. Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday at 20:00 in Toronto. The USA will face Paraguay on Saturday at 02:00 in Los Angeles.
England fans must wait until next Wednesday, June 17 for the Three Lions to take part in the tournament against Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, kicking off at 8pm UK time.
It has been 34 years since the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. The opening ceremony then featured a star lineup including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. There was also a week of concerts at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, featuring everything from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
